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בס"ד

ילה? ים הל מתי מסתDAF 20: WHEN DOES NIGHT END?

On this daf, we learn about two turning points that take place every time night ends and a new day begins. The first is “Aloht HaShachar” and the second is “Netz HaChamah”.

What is “Aloht HaShachar” (rising of the morning)? It is the moment when the first faint light appears in the eastern sky. Many poskim (halachic authorities) maintain that “Aloht Hashachar” occurs 72 minutes prior to the sunrise.

What is “Netz HaChamah”? It is the precise moment of sunrise, when the ball of the sun begins to be visible on the eastern horizon. Netz HaChamah obviously takes place after Aloht HaShachar, because the first rays of lights precede the rise of the sun itself.

Certain mitzvot are only to be performed during the day, e.g., Brit Milah or the daytime reading of Megillat Esther on Purim. The Gemara states that the day is considered to begin at Aloht HaShachar. Performance of daytime mitzvot are permitted beginning from that time. However, since it is possible to err and become confused regarding about when daytime truly begins, Chazal mandated for the performance of daytime mitzvot, that one preferably wait until Netz HaChamah when the shining sun can clearly be seen.

בוד התורה כDAF 21: HONOR OF THE TORAH

The Gemara describes Moshe Rabbeinu’s forty days and forty nights learning Torah from HaShem. During that entire time, Moshe did not sit down as a sign of respect for the Torah, which is not an ordinary collection of wisdom. A person is obliged to learn Torah with a sense of piety and awe.

Today, we are also accustomed to learning Torah while sitting. However, from the time of Moshe Rabbeinu until the time of Rabban Gamliel the Elder (who lived before the destruction of the Second Beit HaMikdash), everyone learned Torah while standing, as a sign of reverence. In later generations, people found it more comfortable to sit for long periods of time while studying, and so Chazal permitted them to learn Torah while seated.

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ים עולים לתורה? ה אנש מ כDAF 22: HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOULD BE CALLED UP FOR ALIYOT TO THE TORAH?

The Torah is read every Monday and Thursday, as well as on Shabbat, fast days, Chanukah, Purim, Rosh Chodesh, Chol HaMo’ed, Yom Tov, and Yom Kippur. When the Torah is read, people are called up for aliyot to recite the Torah blessings.

How many people need to be called up to bless the Torah? The Gemara states that a minimum of three people must be called during a public Torah reading. As such, there are three aliyot on

Mondays, Thursdays and on fast days. However, on Rosh Chodesh and Chol HaMo’ed, four people are called up. On Yom Tov, five people are called up. On Yom Kippur, six people are called up. On

Shabbat, seven people receive aliyot. A minimum of three verses must be read for each aliyah.

The Chatam Sofer (Moshe Schreiber, early 19th century European rabbi), founds hints in Parashat Terumah to all the days on which Torah should be publicly read. The pasuk reads: “And this is the terumah (offering) you should take from them, gold, silver, and copper.” The letters in the word “ZaHaV” (gold) hint at the 7th day (ז=Shabbat), the 5th day (ה=Thursday) and the 2nd day (ב=Monday). The letters of the word KeSeF (silver), hint at Yom Kippur (כ), Sukkot (ס) and Purim/Pesach (פ). Lastly, the letters of the word NeCHoSHeT (copper), hint at Ner Chanukah (נ), Rosh CHodesh (ח), Shavuot/Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (ש), and Ta’aniyot (ת).

QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK1. What is the difference between “Aloht HaShachar” and “Netz HaChamah”?

2. Why did Moshe stand when he learned Torah? Why don’t we?

3. How many Aliyot do we have when we read Torah?

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